The Parish of Chidingstone lies below the sand hills, and consequently in the district called the Weald. It is about six miles in length from north to south; but not more than two on an average in breadth; the river Eden crosses the centre of it towards Penshurst, where it joins the river Medway. Northward of this stream the country is very much covered with woods, among them are situated Sharp's-place,.Boar place, and nearer the foot of the hill, Boar's-hill, usually called Bowsell-gate, which names, among many others of the like import hereabouts, certainly took their origin from the wild boars, formerly in plenty in these parts. About a mile southward from the Eden is the village of Chidingstone, which from the rise on which it is situated was called High-street, in which is the seat of the elder branch of the family of Streatfield, called Highsreet house, having been their residence from the time of king James I. as it is now of Henry Streatfield, esq. The face of the country throughout this parish is much the same as those last described, within the Weald the soil is very moist, and in general a deep strong clay, the grounds having many fine large oaks interspersed over them, and in the broad hedge rows round the fields. There are many greens and small hamlets in different parts of it, as Wickhurst-green, Bow-beach, Hill-heath, Carey's-cross, Ranesley-heath, and, others. At the southern bounds of this parish the branch of the river Medway, which rises at Gravely hill, in Sussex, directs its course eastward, and divides the two counties.extract from Hasted's History of Kent published in 1797

Places and properties in Chiddingstone - a directory of homes, farms, churches, schools, inns, and other places of interest that existed prior to 1900 has been compiled from Post Office directories, Kelly's directories, Trade directories, Census data, Ordnance survey maps and books of the period